Leysdown Carnival draws huge crowds at the weekend

Glorious sunshine encouraged thousands of people along to the Leysdown Carnival at the weekend.

There were more float entries than ever before into the family fun day, which took place in the village on Saturday.

As well as a vast array of stalls set up on The Spinney, including face-painting, glitter tattoos and a caricaturist, BRFM was there with its roadshow to provide entertainment.

Five colourful young ladies from Ashcroft Coast Holiday Park in Leysdown Carnival

Warden Bay resident Bob Watson showed off his replica of a First World War Bristol M1C fighter plane which he has built from scratch and there was a bouncy castle and a traditional Chinese lion dance.

It’s estimated around 3,000 spectators lined the streets to watch as the parade of 22 floats as it made its way from Saddlebrook Holiday Park in Warden Bay Road, along Leysdown Road and into the centre.

There were five floats chosen as winners. These were: Leysdown over 60s’ club for special effort; Sheppey Carnival Court for small vehicle; Sheppey Holiday Village for large vehicle; Sheppey Caravans for walking float and Sutherland Pipes and Drums Band for the performance float.

Tracey Pullen-Feaver, chairman of Leysdown Events Organisation which puts the carnival on, said: “It was fabulous this year – there were more entries and more people as well.

“I was really impressed with the floats – the effort that went into them was absolutely amazing.

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers who helped out, all the businesses which supported us, the float judges, Sheppey Event Marshalling Unit, both Warden and Leysdown parish councils and everyone who came along.”

For more carnival photos, see this week's Sheerness Times Guardian - out Wednesday.